Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXXI, Issue 2
Written by Lydia DAGDELENI, Bogdan Alexandru TAȘBAC, Ciprian Florin FURNARIS
Veterinary incubators play a critical role in modern veterinary medicine; however, they can also serve as reservoirs for microbial contamination. The present study aims to assess the presence and the diversity of microorganisms in veterinary incubators used in different veterinary clinics. Swab samples were collected from various inner surfaces across multiple incubators; the Koch method was applied for airborne infections control as well as liquid samples obtained from the air filtration components. The resulting CFU was compared to the references provided by the Romanian Health Ministry Order 961/2016. Microbial identification was performed by inoculating selective growth media, biochemical techniques, and identification of characteristics of microorganisms macroscopically and microscopically. A questionnaire was provided to the employes to assess their knowledge on incubator hygiene. The qualitative methods of examination revealed a diverse range of bacterial and fungal species. Obvious differences in microbial load were observed for both airborne and surface microflora based on incubator usage and sanitation frequency. These findings highlight the importance of updating cleaning and disinfection protocols and implementing routine microbiological monitoring to ensure the safety of veterinary patients.
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